that's how i was raised, and until i voted for mr. obama twice, i voted for seven straight republican presidents. >> that's absolutely right. if the republican party is going to be a fringe party, then it marginalizes itself and becomes less relevant to the discourse. only obstructionist is what the party is seeking -- >> what is their plan? >> i don't know, but it's a shame. as someone who believes in progressive ideas, i realize that not having a smart, engaged conservative party, republican party, makes progressives lazy, frankly, and unimaginative, and it's bad for the country. bad for the country -- >> i think i spent a good -- i admitted something last week. don't we all like to go into the booth knowing we have an option play? if the democrats have been blowing it, we give the republicans a shot or the other way around. you can actually choose. here is general powell you thought i would be playing. here he is talking about the republican's image problem. you respond to this, alex. let's listen. >> the party has gathered unto it